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Percussion at USM

Instruction is available on all percussion instruments including timpani, mallet percussion, snare drum, accessory percussion, drum set, and Latin percussion.  Applied percussion instruction is provided by world-class performer/educators who take great pride in developing their students to reach their potential.  USM percussion students frequently remark about the great interest that their applied teachers take in them both in and out of the studio.

The percussion professors at the University of Southern Maine are active performers on their instruments and regularly perform as studio musicians, soloists, recording artists, and as members of orchestras, chamber music ensembles and jazz ensembles. Some ensembles that our faculty have performed with are the Boston Ballet, the Portland Symphony Orchestra, "The Ritz," the Artie Shaw Orchestra, the New Hampshire Symphony, and the Connecticut Orchestra.

Percussion instruction for both music education majors and performance majors is given in the form of weekly hour long private lessons.  Percussion majors play a jury for the applied faculty every year and receive individualized comments.  Music Education majors present a senior recital open to the public in the beautiful Corthell Concert Hall, and performance majors present recitals in both their junior and senior years.
Percussionists perform once a semester in the weekly recital class, can give non-required recitals, and have the opportunity to perform as members of the University Orchestra, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble. Additionally our percussion students have performed as extra players for the Portland and Bangor Symphony Orchestras.

The percussion instrument inventory at the University of Southern Maine is one of the most extensive in northern New England and includes professional quality instruments for all percussion majors to use.

Former percussion students at the University of Southern Maine are currently teachers, free-lance musicians, and are performing in orchestras, bands, and jazz ensembles throughout the country.

University of Southern Maine Percussion Faculty:

Nancy Smith

Less Harris, Jr., jazz percussion